Fat Freddy's Drop

The first week that I arrived here, Tally and I scoured the upcoming gigs list for Sydney and snapped up some Fat Freddy's Drop tickets for early September. Though they were pretty pricey, we knew how good they were from seeing them at Outlook Festival in Croatia last year and weren't going to give the opportunity to see them in Sydney a miss!

However, Tal has been travelling up North around the Golden Coast and her plans for coming home have changed as she is now road-tripping it back down with some new found friends, rather than flying. Consequently, she sold her ticket to Goose, who hadn't been able to get one as by the time she had enough money it was sold out. So, although Tally sacked me off for some wayward backpackers she's only known for two weeks *ahem*, I still got to go with my darling Goosey. And what a night we had!

After spending all day on the beach we scrubbed up, grabbed some food and hopped on a bus to Newtown. Neither of us had even been there before and that area of Sydney has got such a different vibe - really artsy with loads of cool little boutique-y shops and cafes. We were a bit early and so pulled up a chair in a little cafe/bar place just next to the venue and sank a few glasses of wine before the show. It was a really warm night and everyone was out wandering around on the streets, and the atmosphere around us grew more and more excited as people steadily arrived in their hundreds to see Fat Freddy's. 

If you don't know anything about the band, then they're a seven-man band who come from New Zealand who's sound is an amazing fusion of jazz, techno, electronic, funk, ska, soul and reggae. Joe Dukie (Dallas Tamaira is his actual name - they all have stage names) is their lead vocalist who also plays guitar, and then they have a DJ, a syth and percussion/keyboard player, a bass guitarist, and then three brass members who between them play tuba, trombone, trumpet, alto sax and bari sax - as you can imagine, they come out with some pretty funky stuff! Their main attraction is their collective improvisation which they perform live on stage with long trumpet and guitar solos which can go on for ages! Trust me, they're amazing. Here are a few of my favourite songs off their new album...

Silver and Gold

Mother Mother

The Enmore Theatre was really cool. It has a proper old-school retro vibe about it with signs still directing you to 'The Powder Room' and ones above the bar advertising 'Cones and Refreshments'. The decor was a bit dated and faux art-deco but the theatre had a really intimate feel to it, whilst still being big. Plus, all that really mattered was that the music was good, and oh boy, did they put on a show.

This tour they are doing is for their new album 'Blackbird' and if you don't already have it PLEASE buy it. It's perfect easy listening music crossed with proper funky-ass tunes you just can't stop dancing to. All their shows are sold out in Australia and they're absolutely killing it. The set they did was two and a half hours long and we danced solidly for the whole thing.

Goose and I stood about a third of the way back where the floor was on a slight slant and so we had a really good view and plenty of room to dance. It was one of those gigs where everyone around you is so focussed on the music and no one is being annoying and bashing around and talking really loudly. The whole crowd went nuts and everyone was grooving away together for the entire thing. The band gave such a good performance, they're so good live it was unreal. I tried not to take too many photos and videos as I just wanted to enjoy them live, but I did get a few snippets....

Roady

Clean The House

Their trombonist, Joe Lindsay, is an amazing performer. He's huge and disgustingly overweight but was doing this hilarious little wiggle dance the whole way through in his very questionable choice of outfit (a sweat band, short shorts, and shiny shell suit jacket...!?). By the end he was knackered but the crowd was going wild and was so funny to watch. They obviously all love playing together.

Their energy and sound was amazing, and I think it was probably the best live gig I have ever been to - and considering the amount of festivals I've been to over the last year thats really saying something! I think they just top Bonobo and Bon Iver who I saw live this year too. If you get a chance, GO AND SEE THEM. They were worth every dollar. I honestly have never danced with such a smile on my face for so long.

Here's a snap of Goosey looking Fat Freddy-d out on the (double decker!!!!) train home...

Whatta night. Thanks boys!

B